A BORDERS man has been ordered to carry out 85 hours of unpaid work.

James Markie, 52, of Murray Place, Denholm, pleaded guilty to a breach of the peace back in July.

He also admitted obstructing police and struggling with them when they called at his home on July 26 to discuss the incident.

Fiona Hamilton, prosecuting in Jedburgh Sheriff Court, said a man was walking past Markie's property with his partner and words were exchanged.

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She said the accused jumped over his fence and challenged the man to a fight.

The incident ended with a struggle and the police called.

When police visited Markie at about 8pm on July 26 he began to struggle with officers and refused to comply with them.

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Defence lawyer Ed Hulme said his client had reacted in the earlier incident to being called a paedophile.

He also said the incident with the police happened because he complained the handcuffs had been put on too tight and he had stumbled down steps.

Sheriff Peter Paterson imposed the Community Payback Order with 85 hours of unpaid work over the next nine months and warned Markie of the consequences if there was non-compliance.